Oster® Blog

4 Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipes Your Kids Will Love

Is there a more kid-approved meal than macaroni and cheese? Noodles covered in creamy cheese is hard to beat, and there are many creative ways to make it more nutritious. Keep the smiles on your kids' faces with these four easy recipes that put a healthy twist on traditional mac and cheese.

1. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Pureeing butternut squash and stirring it into the sauce in this mac and cheese makes the meal a whole lot healthier, with just one cup of the root veggie delivering more than 100 percent of your daily value of vitamin A, along with significant amounts of vitamins C and E. As an added bonus, the bright orange color of butternut squash mimics that of a rich and creamy cheese sauce - your kids won't know the difference!

Ingredients:

1 butternut squash

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

12 ounces cooked pasta

Directions
Cut butternut squash in half and scoop out seeds. Place halves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 35-40 minutes at 400 degrees. Once cooked, scoop out the squash from the halves and add to the Food Processor Attachment of the Oster® Oskar™ 2-in-1 Salad Prep & Food Processor Attachment. Add the cheese, butter, olive oil, salt and pepper. Process for 2-3 minutes, or until smooth. Add mixture to a large saucepan over medium heat and stir. Once cheese begins to melt, add pasta and combine fully before serving.

2. Green Mac and Cheese
Try this nutritious and tasty twist on traditional mac and cheese for a healthy meal your kids will love. With its smooth and creamy sauce, they won't believe it contains servings of superfoods broccoli, avocado and spinach.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup spinach

1 cup broccoli

1 avocado, peeled and cored

1 1/2 tablespoons butter

3/4 cup milk

3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Dash of salt and pepper

12 ounces cooked pasta

Directions
Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the spinach and broccoli and cook until softened, about 5-8 minutes. Transfer to Food Processor Attachment of Oster® Oskar™ 2-in-1 Salad Prep & Food Processor Attachment. Add the avocado and process until smooth, about 2-3 minutes. In the saucepan, melt the butter and mix with the milk and cheeses. Add the vegetable mixture to the pan and stir until combined. Season with salt and pepper, then toss with the pasta to coat and serve.

3. Rainbow Mac and Cheese
Surprise your little ones with mac and cheese bursting with eye-popping color! Slice up a variety of nutritious veggies and stir them into the noodles for a delicious lunch or dinner that helps your kids get the vitamins and minerals they need.

Ingredients:

4 carrots

1 large zucchini

1 red bell pepper

1 green bell pepper

1 yellow bell pepper

4 stalks of celery

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

3/4 cup skim milk

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

Dash salt and pepper

12 ounces cooked pasta

Directions
Slice the carrots, zucchini, bell peppers and celery into a large bowl using the Oster® Oskar™ 2-in-1 Salad Prep & Food Processor Attachment. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet, then transfer sliced vegetables and cook for 3-4 minutes to soften. Add the pasta to a saucepan over medium heat, then add the vegetables, cheese, milk, butter, remaining oil and salt and pepper. Stir well to combine, then serve.

4. Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese
If your kids are the pickiest ones on the block, or just can't stand the sight of vegetables, try this take on mac and cheese, which cleverly hides the vegetables in the cheese sauce.

Ingredients:

6 carrots

2 cups cauliflower

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons water

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

3/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter

Dash salt and pepper

12 ounces cooked pasta

Directions
Slice the carrots into a bowl using the Oster® Oskar™ 2-in-1 Salad Prep & Food Processor Attachment. Add to the Food Processor Attachment, along with the cauliflower, olive oil and water. Process until smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Heat a saucepan over medium heat, then add the pasta, followed by the cheese and vegetable mixture. Stir to melt the cheese, then add the milk, butter, salt and pepper. Stir to combine fully and serve.